Are you expecting vegetarian guests at this year's Thanksgiving dinner?
Here's how to prepare a Thanksgiving meal both omnivores and vegetarians will enjoy.
Understand the vegetarian diet
Vegetarians don't eat beef, pork, chicken, fish, or the flesh of any animal.
A pescatarian follows a vegetarian diet but allows fish. The two terms are often confused so ask if your guests eat seafood.
Vegetarians do eat eggs, dairy, fruit, vegetables, grains, beans, nuts, and seeds.
Make eight vegetarian dishes
These are meatless dishes for the entire table, not special dishes just for the vegetarians. Here's the breakdown:
Two appetizers
Most appetizers are already vegetarian. Think things like:
Here are more vegetarian and non-vegetarian
.
Four sides
These are classic holiday favorites everyone will love. Here are a few ideas:
Do you have a favorite dish that includes a little meat? You can always make a separate portion just for your vegetarian guests and put toppings (like bacon bits or gravy) on the side. Here are some
and
to get you started.
One starch
Most starches take little effort to prepare but become filling additions to a vegetarian's plate. Think dishes like:
Don't double up on potatoes. If you make a great potato-based side dish, stick to grains for this category. Her are a few suggestions for
and
One salad
Round off your vegetarian options with one of these creative salads.
Remember, you need eight separate vegetarian dishes. If one dish covers multiple categories, add another side or starch.
Always make extra
When calculating how much of each vegetarian dish to make, treat every vegetarian guest as two people.
For example, if you're expecting a table of 14 guests and two are vegetarian, cook enough of each vegetarian dish for 16 people and keep the extra two servings off the table.
If the vegetarian dishes run out, you'll have an emergency stash just for your special guests.
Don't worry about protein
Vegetarians already get lots of protein from their diet. There are a few vegetarian turkeys, but it may not be something your guests want. As long as you provide an assortment of options they'll have plenty of protein from the vegetarian dishes.
Cook carefully
Do you use bacon grease? How about chicken stock? Your normal methods may be a problem for your vegetarian guests. If necessary, cook a separate portion in butter or vegetable stock just for the vegetarians.
Ask for suggestions
All vegetarians are different. Some have strict, complex diets while others indulge in meat on special occasions. Before you cook, give your vegetarians a call and get answers to these questions:
- Do you allow meat on holidays?
- Would you like a vegetarian turkey?
- What's your favorite vegetarian meat?
- Do you eat fish? If so, do you have a favorite?
- What are some of your favorite vegetarian dishes?
- Will you eat vegetarian food that's been cooked in meat?
- Do you have any other food intolerances (like gluten, soy, or dairy, nuts, or eggs)?
You won't be able to accommodate everything, but getting these questions answered will help you plan your menu.
Don't panic
Preparing Thanksgiving dinner is stressful enough. Don't go crazy trying to cater to the minority. Vegetarians are used to compromising, so even the smallest effort to make their holiday more comfortable will be appreciated.
Visit Oh She Glows, Cookies and Kate, and Green Kitchen Stories for more vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.